Mission Statement.
Our mission is to foster excellence and growth in swimming by providing high-quality training and competitive opportunities for swimmers of all ages and abilities.
We aim to cultivate a supportive and inclusive environment that encourages personal development, teamwork, and a lifelong passion for the sport of swimming.
As we expand, we remain committed to nurturing talent, promoting healthy competition, and contributing positively to our community.
Competition Opportunities
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Open Water Series
The OWS Series has become an icon of the Western Australian sporting calendar, attracting amateur and professional swimmers from age nine to ninety-nine.
Events start at 500m and span distances to 10km. While swimmers can use their times to qualify for Nationals and/or record an official placing and score points in the OWS Series, Swimming WA encourages everyone to have a go and be a part of what is sure to be an exciting series.
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Short and Long Course Competitons
Long course swimming competitions are held in a 50-meter pool during the summer season (October to April) and short course swimming competitions are held in a 25-meter pool over the winter months.
Qualification: Qualifying times for major events are released on the Swimming WA website for major state events like the Hancock Prospecting WA Age & Open Championships and the WA Junior Championships.
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Splash and Dash
Splash & Dash is a FUN event which gives participants over the age of 6 a chance to have a go at competitive swimming. These events offer a safe, inclusive and exciting environment for kids to try racing for the first time. There is no technical officiating, no official times, and no disqualifications.
Swimming is an essential part of Western Australian life, start your swimming journey with us today!
Join the club
We offer a range of membership options to suit each swimmer, including competitive swimmers, Master’s and social swimmers.
Meet the Coaching Team
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Gaye Pocrnja
Head Coach - Silver Licence
With over 30 years of coaching experience, I bring a lifelong passion for developing swimmers at every level. My journey began in Europe before moving to Sydney, where I coached athletes to state and national success. Later, as Director of Swimming at the British International School, I spent 12 years establishing a new swim club and guiding swimmers who went on to compete at both national and international competitions.
Since moving to Perth, I’ve proudly built YU Swim Squads from just six swimmers into a thriving program of over 200 athletes during peak season. Our squads now offer year-round opportunities for swimmers of all ages and abilities—whether the goal is to build water confidence, improve fitness, or compete on the state, national, and international stage.
As Head Coach of CLAQ, my philosophy goes beyond results on the stopwatch. I am committed to creating a positive, team-focused culture, where every swimmer feels supported, inspired, and empowered to achieve their best. For me, true success is not only about medals, but about fostering confidence, resilience, and pride in every athlete.
At CLAQ, every swimmer belongs, every effort counts, and every achievement is celebrated.
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Melissa Pocrnja
Junior Head Coach
Swimming has been my passion for as long as I can remember. As a competitive athlete, I had the privilege of representing my team internationally, specialising in breaststroke and competing in the 400m freestyle. These experiences gave me a deep appreciation for the discipline, resilience, and joy that swimming can offer.
Today, as Junior Head Coach, my role is to help our young swimmers develop the technique, strength, and confidence they need to thrive in the water. With a Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology, I combine my practical swimming experience with an evidence-based coaching approach that supports both athletic performance and long-term health.
Most importantly, my goal is to inspire a lifelong love of swimming—ensuring every child leaves the pool not only a better swimmer, but also stronger, more resilient, and confident in themselves.
